He was credited with the destruction of 138 tanks and 132 anti-tank guns, along with an unknown number of other armoured vehicles,By 1943, he commanded a Tiger, and by the Battle of Kursk (Operation Citadel), he was a platoon leader.On January 14, 1944, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and on January 30, the Oak Leaves for his continued excellence in the field. By this time, he had destroyed 88 enemy tanks and a significant number of other armoured vehicles.